Politics / Manipur

IMPHAL, Jan. 11. — An all-party ‘peace-talks monitoring cell’ was set up here today with chief minister Mr O Ibobi Singh as its convener following what is viewed here as disturbing signals regarding the territory of Manipur emanating from the NSCN (I-M)-Centre talks.

“I will even give up my chief ministership if it would save the territory of Manipur from being divided,” Mr Ibobi Singh said. “We are are ready to meet the eventuality at any cost,” he added at the em-ergency meeting of all state political parties that was hastily convened at 10.30 a.m. at the CM’s conference hall here. It was...

Imphal, January 11: An all-party emergency meeting presided over by Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh today conveyed to the Centre that the territorial integrity of the state would be maintained ‘at any cost’.

The meeting was held in the wake of the NSCN (I-M) leaders’ demand for formation of ‘greater Nagaland’ placed during the ongoing peace talks with the Centre in Delhi.

The resolution adopted at the meeting said the people of Manipur would ‘‘unitedly oppose attempt by any authority to disintegrate the state’’.

‘‘The territory of Manipur belongs to Manipuris (different communities...

Imphal, January 10: Opposition DPA constituent partner Manipur Peoples' Party said it will take up arms, if necessary, if Government of India concedes to the demand of NSCN (IM) to amalgamate all Naga inhabited areas under one administrative umbrella. Addressing news persons at the MPP office today, president of the party and firebrand leader O Joy said the present peace talks between Govt of India and the NSCN (IM) to solve the Naga issue is based on four points put forward by the underground outfit. While pursuing a solution to the vexed issue, drastic measures should not be taken that could...

Imphal, January 10: In a significant development the Central Bureau of Investigation, CBI has submitted charge sheet against former Chief Minister RK Ranbir and seven others including former PCS Secretary and FCS Director in connection with the 1991-1992 rice scandal involving over Rs 2 crore that rocked the State. Mention may be made here that the Special Court (PC Act) had on Jan 5 this year rejected anticipatory bail application filed by RK Ranbir. In its verdict, the court ruled that there was no basis for granting the pre-arrest bail and instead advised RK Ranbir to surrender to the Court...

Imphal, January 08: Thousands of people marched in a procession in the state capita] here today against any move to disintegrate Manipur during the first over Naga peace talks on Indian soil between the centre and the NSCN(IM) in New Delhi tomorrow. The processionists gathered at Thau ground. Around 12.45 pm the rallyists marched towards Khuyathong, then proceeded towards Nagamapal and passed through Wahengbam Leikai, Keishamthong, Yaiskul and marched on at Thambuthong and Thangapat areas, it proceeded towards Wangkhei, New Checkon, Minuthong and culmianted at Khuman Lampak. where a public...

Imphal, Jan. 8: Manipuris vowed to protect the territorial integrity of the state today, a day before the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) leaders Isak Chisi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah meet Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee for talks on the issue of “Greater Nagalim”. A mammoth rally, organised by the Solidarity Committee on the Territorial-Ethnic Integrity of Manipur (SCTEIM), was supported by more than 300 social organisations, including women’s organisations. Nearly one lakh people from all communities, including Nagas, attended the rally.

The rally began from the...

Imphal, January 07: Kuki Inpi Manipur has resolutely stated that there should be no peace talks or agreement between the NSCN (IM) and the Government of India before the Kuki problem is settled amicably. In a memorandum submitted to Prime Minister Vajpayee, KIM president Haokholet Khongsai wondered how the Centre could invite a man who ordered the killing of 900 innocent lives and was responsible for uprooting 350 villages without even being tried in a proper law court of the country. If the killing and destruction was the result of a conflict between Nagas and Kukis as some quarters ‘unjustly...

Imphal, January 07: The eighth death anniversary for the victims of the RMC (Now RIMS) incident on 7 January 1995 due to indiscriminate firing by CRPF personnel was observed today at RIMS gate. A memorial stone for the nine victims was inaugurated by the Chief Guest Ph Parijat Minister FCS. The nine victims were Momi Riba a medical student of RIMS, L Pradeep Sharma, W Upendra, S Premchand, H Khogen, RK Khogen, Angom Devendra, K Rajendra and Md Jakir. The donors of the memorial stone are L Nandakumar Minister MAHUD, Law, H Joychandra, Late S Amusana Devi, Ksh Chandrahas and W Inao. Ph Parijat...

Jan. 7: A day after the NSCN (Khaplang) declared that the much-awaited Naga peace talks in Delhi would be an exercise in futility, an organisation representing the Kuki community of Manipur pleaded with the Prime Minister and his deputy not to sign any agreement with the Isak-Muivah group. In identical memoranda to Atal Bihari Vajpayee, L.K. Advani and government interlocutor K. Padmanabhaiah, the Kuki Inpi, Manipur, charged the NSCN (I-M) with killing over 900 Kukis and displacing members of the community from 350 villages.

Holkholet Khongsai, president of the Kuki Inpi, said the Kukis...

Imphal, January 05: Even though the splinter group of the MSCP led by M Hemanta is understood to have stated that the MSCP has not withdrawn from the SPF coalition, confusion still reigns over the status of the party vis-?-vis the SPF Government as the Steering Committee of the SPF had already agreed to the withdrawal of the party from the coalition. Mention may be made that the MSCP under Lok Sabha MP Th Chaoba had snapped ties with the SPF on November 12 last year and subsequently announced the merger of the party with the BJP on November 14. However a number of disgruntled MSCP members led...